The Clarence Darrow Commemorative Committee will hold the annual wreath-tossing and symposium commemorating Darrow on the 81st anniversary of Darrow's death on Wed., March 13, 2019. For the first time this year the ceremony and symposium are at different locations and times.
Morning ceremony:
From 10 a.m. to noon there will be a traditional tossing of flowers and brief speeches plus a reading of excerpts from Darrow pleading in the Leopold & Loeb case.
The morning gathering will take place just east of the Clarence Darrow Bridge, which is under construction.
The bridge is behind the Museum of Science and Industry, Jackson Park.Driving south on Lake Shore Drive, pass the light at 57th Drive and turn right at the next light, Science Drive, and almost immediately turn left onto Columbia Drive. Ffollow Columbia Drive to parking near the bridge. Free. No RSVP needed.
Evening symposium:
To allow for more people interested in the event to attend, the symposium no longer immediately follows inside the Museum of Science and Industry. It will instead be held from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the Newberry Library, 60 West Walton St., Chicago.
Nina Barrett will present on her book, Leopold and Loeb Files: An Intimate Look at One of America's Most Infamous Crimes.
The 1924 murder of fourteen-year-old Bobby Franks by Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, and their defense by Clarence Darrow, raised profound and disturbing questions about social class, criminal psychology, morality, justice, and mercy. She will talk about why, ninety-five years later, these issues continue to haunt us—and remain relevant—today.
Nina Barrett is owner of Bookends & Beginnings, 1712 Sherman Ave. Rear 1, Evanston.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration required at www.newberry.org/03132019-leopold-loeb-and-darrow-story-murder-and-mercy .
This program is cosponsored with the Clarence Darrow Commemorative Committee and the Newberry Program in Chicago Studies. Doors open half an hour before the program begins, with first-come, first-served seating for registered attendees. If space permits, walk-ins will be admitted 10 minutes before the event starts.
People with disabilities and other accessibility concerns can request to be seated first. To reserve an access-friendly space in the room, first register using the link above, then email publicprograms@newberry.org at least 48 hours before the event. Seats arranged in this way will be held until 10 minutes before the event starts.
For more on the Darrow committee, call 773-387-2394.
